Kersley lecture: eye believe in contact lenses: contact lenses and/or refractive surgery.

PURPOSE: Media publicity has made patients increasingly aware that surgical vision correction is available. This article gives an overview on refractive surgery and contact lenses.

METHODS

Contact lens and refractive surgery possibilities are highlighted for patients with myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia, aphakia, and keratoconus. Therapeutic, pediatric, and cosmetic indications are discussed.

RESULTS

Refractive surgery is beneficial for low refractive errors. The use of contact lenses is mandatory in cases of monovision and strabismus before refractive surgery and beneficial for therapeutic use postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

Although many patients are always best corrected with contact lenses, only the right synergism of contact lenses and refractive surgery will benefit patients.